Wounded Alouettes limping off to B.C.
Could be missing 10 of 24 starters for Thursday’s game against Lions
MONTREAL Now comes the difficult part — the waiting game. A city, at least that sector that follows the Alouettes, waits to see the severity of the head injury suffered by veteran starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo on Saturday.
Calvillo wasn’t on the field Monday, when the Als changed their schedule and held a light workout at Stade Hebert. He was being examined, along with many of his teammates, who sustained injuries during the weekend loss at Saskatchewan.
Calvillo was hit by Roughriders defensive end Ricky Foley on the opening play of the second quarter, sustaining a head injury — likely a concussion, although general manager and head coach Jim Popp denied he has officially been advised that by medical personnel. Yet.
Calvillo almost certainly won’t play this Thursday at home against the B.C. Lions. How much time he’ll miss remains to be determined. Guard Andrew Woodruff, for one, was placed on the ninegame injured list early this season with a concussion.
Already speculation has started — mostly from people who are clueless — that this is the beginning of the end of Calvillo’s career. Or that he might be forced to retire.
Eight players sustained injuries against the Riders, including receiver Brandon London (concussion); offensive tackle Josh Bourke (knee); linebacker Kyries Hebert (knee); long-snapper Martin Bedard (shoulder) and safety Mike Edem (shoulder).
If they all fail to play this week, the Als will be missing 10 of 24 starters from late June. If they’re all placed on the injured list, Popp said a total of 22 players will be sidelined.
His biggest task now simply might be finding 42 healthy bodies to dress against the Lions. The Als require depth and are seeking non-imports capable of playing on special teams. Two worked out on Monday.
“We’re calling agents, looking at what’s on the street,” Popp explained. “There’s not a lot to choose from that you would consider are in shape and ready to go. Then you look at other team’s practice rosters.
“There’s not a lot to choose from. And those who were available two weeks ago that went back to (university) are not available. The pool’s really thin, but that’s today.”
Calvillo was replaced by Josh Neiswander, a third-year pro out of Angelo State, who saw his first regular-season action. Given his lack of playing time, Neiswander was far from terrible, completing 12 of 30 for 147 yards. He was intercepted twice and had obvious — and predictable — timing issues with receivers he hasn’t practised with much.
Neiswander will start against B.C., but Popp didn’t rule out also using rookie Tanner Marsh at some point. This could be a glimpse of the future, with Calvillo turning 41 this Friday. The veteran, however, remains under contract for one more season.
“Look, this is part of pro sports,” said Popp. “He (Neiswander) has been here three years. I know he hasn’t played a lot. We’re anxious to see what he can do.
“Every team goes through this at some point. We’ve been fortunate. We haven’t had to do it a whole lot — on-thejob training for quarterbacks. This is how the next guy’s discovered, thrown in.
“Josh managed the game well. The game was tight.”